“Luca?” Adrien recognized the voice and attempted to sit up, but was promptly kicked back down onto the bed by Emmeline’s swift foot.

Luca quickly caught up and pulled the covers over Adrien, leaving only his head exposed.

As Adrien lay there, he finally got a good look at the young, handsome “young man” who had just kicked him twice. Although he couldn’t quite place where he had seen him before, there was something familiar about him.

“Who are you?” Adrien demanded, shocked that someone would have the audacity to strike him. “You have some nerve attacking me. Do you want to die?”

Emmeline squinted her eyes and crushed her cigar into the ashtray on the table.

“Adrien, you really are bored with life!” Her delicate and beautiful appearance belied her crisp and cold voice.

“Emma!” Adrien exclaimed, startled, and attempted to leap up from the bed.

But Luca quickly threw himself on top of him, holding him down firmly.

“Luca, let go! Emma’s here, I need to talk to her!” Adrien demanded.

“Mr. Adrien,” Luca restrained him. “You can talk, but please put on some clothes first.”

“Clothes?” Adrien repeated in confusion.

Luca nodded. “Well, you’re practically naked. How can you face Ms. Louise like this?”

Adrien nodded in agreement. “Right, right. My clothes, please bring them here so I can get dressed quickly.”

Luca looked around and found Adrien’s closet, throwing his shirt and pants out.

Meanwhile, Emmeline stood with her arms crossed, turning her back to Adrien.

Adrien quickly grabbed his clothes and dressed in a matter of seconds.

“Emma, I’m dressed now. You can turn around and talk to me,” Adrien said, eager to continue their conversation.

Emmeline turned back around to face Adrien, who was struggling to button up his shirt.

“I never thought you would act so recklessly,” Emmeline sneered. “Adrien, you’ve disappointed me.”

Adrien laughed bitterly. “What right do you have to lecture me? You’re not my woman!”

“I’m only doing this because your mother asked me to,” Emmeline said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t waste my time with someone like you.”

“It’s all because of you that my dreams have been shattered,” Adrien said, looking miserable.

“I misjudged you,” Emmeline said, her voice icy. “When I got engaged to you, Abel was heartbroken but still managed to go to the coffee shop and give me an engagement gift with a sincere blessing. I didn’t see a hint of despair on his face!”

“Why are you comparing me to him? How can I compete with him?” Adrien protested.

“Abel is a man, aren’t you one too?” Emmeline retorted.

Adrien remained silent.

“If you admit you’re a man, can’t you pull yourself together?” Luca chimed in.

“Exactly,” Emmeline agreed, “there’s plenty of fish in the sea.”

Adrien and Emmeline both glared at Luca.

“Did I say something wrong?” Luca asked innocently, “Do you have to wallow in misery over Ms. Louise?”

“You’re right,” Emmeline said, “that’s a very insightful point.”

Adrien remained silent, his eyes downcast. “But I just fell for Emma,” he finally spoke up.

“Adrien,” Emmeline said, “I’m glad we never became family. Today you like me, but when the novelty wears off, who knows who you’ll be infatuated with? So losing me just means losing one of the many flowers in the garden, there’s nothing to be tangled up about.”

Adrien had nothing to say in response.

Emmeline’s words had hit a chord with him. He was infatuated with her, but he couldn’t guarantee that he would always be. Loving a woman for a lifetime was harder than being killed.

As he thought about it, Adrien began to feel less upset.

“Women are a dime a dozen,” Emmeline said. “As Luca said, you don’t need to hang yourself on me. It would be a waste of you. You need to pick yourself up and focus on your career. With a charming and handsome man like you, Adrien, women will be flocking to you anyway.”

Adrien hung his head and pondered Emmeline’s words.

He had to admit, she had a point.

He, Adrien, had never been short of women. Why should he be so hung up on Emmeline, one woman among many?